ST. LOUIS — How important was it for the Nationals to win Game 1 of this best-of-five series, especially on the road? "That game's huge," Adam LaRoche said this morning. "Game 1 in a short series like this is huge. I think more than anything because now for the Cardinals, since we won Game 1, this is kind of a must-win. You don't want to get down two games in any series, but definitely not in a five-game."

So the pressure today at Busch Stadium is squarely on the defending World Series champs, not the first-time playoff participants. Which means the pressure is on Game 2 starter Jamie Garcia to get his team back on track. The left-hander had an up-and-down season but he finished strong, going 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA over his last six starts (after the Nats got him for six runs in late-August).

Jordan Zimmermann makes his first career postseason start, and if you think the right-hander is fazed at all by the situation, you don't know him very well. "I really never get nervous for any games," he said yesterday. "The only game I really got nervous for was my debut [in 2009]. And I don't see anything changing this time."

We've got another afternoon start here in St. Louis, so look for the Shadow Monster to be a factor again. And for everyone who keeps asking: No, MLB has not yet announced a start time for Game 3 on Wednesday. As soon as they do, I will pass it along. I promise.

In the meantime, plenty of updates from today's game to come right here…

Davey needs to own up on Espi, if he is hurt, play Lombo. This bunting with Espi is ridiculous. He really should go with Lombo back in DC.Ah, why is it that you do not see the grasshopper at your feet?Davey and Rizzo are both looking at this the same way. Its a learning experience for the 2nd youngest roster … one of the most talented but lacking a great deal of experience.Two words grasshopper: learning experience.These Nats will be back … and back … and then back again. Kind of like the Everready bunny they'll keep on going.Many in baseball are in awe at what this team could become. And yes, they are going to be a whole heck of a lot better than the Spankees very, very soon.

A very loose game all around on defense. People will say it has to do with the play-offs, but not all games are gems. I wish I had more confidence in some of the pitchers right now but maybe most staffs are running on fumes…. Orioles' closer got hammered last night.

Peric…I know Espi can be a great player… I am talking in terms of THIS series and trying to give the team the best shot of winning, Espi is slumping and why not go with a more consistent and proven bat in Lombo?

Boy one thing, probably a combination of umps, playoffs, and nibbling but they have got to do something about all the walks!Its something McCatty preached over-and-over again this season … and the Nats preached system-wide. NO walks. They have always killed Nats pitching in the past.

William O. Douglas Loeffler said…That is fine, but unfortunately, according to the Wash Post and SI, the best team in baseball rarely wins in the post-season.I agree and this why I will be very happy if Nats can get to NLCS and go deep before losing to Reds. Losing to Cards would be a disappointing. Reds are the best team and it will probably be a Reds-Yankees WS

I'm with NJ. Let's stick with this game a little longer. A few more good innings from our bullpen and some timely hits, and we've got ourselves a ball game. mick is also right that making them sweat a bit would be a good thing, even if we don't come all the way back. Job 1 is Garcia figuring his release point out.

THIS series and trying to give the team the best shot of winning, Espi is slumping and why not go with a more consistent and proven bat in Lombo?And what kind of experience would you very, very young and athletic starter take from that? Its a learning experience. Its not like Espy is an early to mid 30's journeyman 2nd bagger like Adam Kennedy or Cristian Guzman. This is a different deal entirely. He has to learn to get through this.

Also, as Mark said on 980 today, this is a MUST game for Cards… If reds were 1-1 with Giants or if the Giants were at least competitive, I think we would all feel a little better, I know I would. I admit, i am looking ahead and i was hoping we could win in 3 or 4 games and Reds-Giants would go 5 games.

When you're in the playoffs you're there to win. You're gonna learn whether you lose or not.Its still a best-of-five series … patience grasshopper. The wrong experience, win or lose, can affect a prospect.

Sorry, Dick Stockton. It was a spectacular catch, but not "the play of the series so far." Not when the Cards are leading by four runs. Werth's catch yesterday in the sun was more clutch. Mattheus inducing two consecutive groundballs and the Nats turning a key DP were bigger plays. Quit with the love fest for everything St. Louis. And, by the way, Yadier Molina is good, but he's not God of Thunder like you guys are making him out to be.

Manassas Nats' Fan said…Morse's non catch allows 8th run to score. that is true, but I expect better from Gonzales as a veteran pitcher with post season experience.. All Stammen and Gonzo had to do was keep it at 6 runs

I don't get what Morse was watching that first foul ball for. THAT was catchable, then Beltran comes back and crushes one.The shadows are going to be as bad for Morse as for Werth … and Werth is the better fielder hands down.

I think everyone agrees that Morse in LF is a defensive liability. A faster player gets to the ball. If this were a 1 run game, would he have tried harder? While he very well may have done so, in the games I've seen, he has really gone all-out for a ball. That has always been my question about him – does he get it?NICE! – thanks Werth and Harper for making this interesting again!

wait – it didn't mean interesting in THAT way!dang rookies! ;-)Although if he had made it, and it was pretty close, the Cards would have been worried. I for one am very glad to see that our boys have not stopped competing.

the Cards would have been worried.Believe me even with this ending as a win the Cards ARE worried.They yanked their starter after 2 and Jaime Garcia is one of the very best young left-handed starters in all of baseball.

no peric… there is a difference in being aggressive and being smart and that was not the situation to be aggressive. Bryce has the speed from 2b to score on a hit, we did not need him trying to go to 3rd in that situation

no peric… there is a difference in being aggressive and being smart and that was not the situation to be aggressive.We'll have to see what Davey says in the post-gamer. He usually won't mince words if he agrees with you.

at least we are making the Cards sweat and that is a very good thing. If Nats had not scored again after it was 7-1, I would have been worried, now I really do not think one can say Cards have momentum

Zimm's throws, they just look so uncomfortable. I feel uncomfortable watching them. Am I wrong in my recollection that he had been throwing a lot from his normal sidearm slot all year, but very recently he went back almost exclusively to the over-the-top throw he worked on after his surgery two (was it two?) years ago?

Manassas Nats' Fan said…Now score at least 4 no goofing this timeI could see Nats getting this thing to 8-6 or 8-7 and that would be a good spring board for Wed. Even if the score stays at 8-4, Cards had to sweat it out

Where's Natslady she would be having a field day with Morse's base running … there ya go Mick an almost passive base running error versus Harper aggressiveness. Maybe its me but I'll take Harper's mistakes.

Nats are lucky they had T Moore pinch hit yesterday … over the past month Tracy swings at the first pitch and pops up, which is what I am sure would have happen yesterday…. he is veteran player and that was not a good at bat

The Cards really seem to be pressing – Jay and Beltran in a near-BNB situation in the outfield, Beltran's terrible throw to try to get Morse at second.I hate to break it to you … and especially the gloom and doom contingent, but the Nats are actually A REALLY GOOD team. And they are going to get even better right as we watch during these playoffs. Off we go into the wild blue ceiling up we go into the sky.Of course the Cardinals are afraid. They should be.

peric, I don't think Morse could have tagged up and made it to third before Beltran gunned him down.I think if Beltran had thrown to 2nd instead of 3rd he would have had Morse. He confused him with Dessie, Espy, Werth and Harper … lol

4 In the 9th not easy but since we have left runners all over the place we must score it at the end.Morse kept ball in front and still let guy go the second. When their left fielder screws up we het thrown out at third

Sean is still not the same. I wonder if his elbow will be "hurting" and we'll replace him with Zach Duke.He hasn't been right for a while … and more like he was last season of late. I suspect, as you surmise, that we'll find out he has some arm issue this offseason.

peric… i did not know that about Burnett… my preference would be to see him depart. I am hearing the Nats want a lefty closer any way in the off season and it is clear, it ain't Sean.If he asks for too much they will let him go … if they know he is injured but the injury isn't permanently debilitating they'll work with him. Its not like they are dripping with left-handed bullpen help. That end of the farm system cupboard is pretty sparse right now.

O.K., I think we must admit that the Cards have a more potent lineup, and will probably take this series. The question is: do we stand pat and wait for our youngsters to grow up or do we trade and/or acquire the pieces to compete with the Cards? I think you must trade for players with playoff experience and ability to mix with the youngsters. You generally cannot "develop" playoff success alone.